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Help With e-ring Small Budget 5K

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psychdoc26

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 10, 2011
Messages
2
Hi all,

my bf and I have been talking about getting engaged which is very exciting! He doesn't have a lot of money and his budget is around $5,000 (may be a little wiggle room). I know this is a pretty small budget for an engagement ring. I have previously been engaged and at the time had a custom made e-ring from King Jeweler's with a 2ct cushion center in a pave halo setting (it was styled after the Tiffany Legacy setting)...unfortunately for me I still love this style but I don't think it would be appropriate to have a ring that looks too similar.

I'm flexible in terms of stone (round, emerald, cushion, pear) but I don't like the look of a solitaire...I prefer more antique art deco styles, pave, or three stone rings (perhaps one with sapphires). I'm also willing to compromise on color and clarity for size as long as the cut is good and there isn't a strong fluorescence. My experience with diamonds is that each diamond is so unique that you can get something quite stunning with less than perfect characteristics.

I've been looking online but I'm not really sure where to start given the budget and my style. I tried something on at Zale's from the new Vera Wang collection that I really liked but I'm wondering if we could get a better deal on a similar style if I went somewhere in the diamond district (I live in NYC)? Any thoughts and suggestions are appreciated!
 
I think a true vintage/antique is going to be your best bet. It will suit your style and your budget. Check out Ruby Lane. Also if you are okay with shopping on ebay... there are some of us who are good at finding deals on there (I don't recommend the inexperienced and those who don't know jewelry well to hunt on their at all-- it is VERY VERY easy to get taken) and we can see what we find that is nice in your budget.
 
That budget is plenty big enough to get something you'll love!

If you don't mind pre-owned pieces, I think those could definitely be a good way to go - especially since there are a whole lot of art-deco-style ones out there.

Jewels by Erica Grace has some awesome things around your budget, like this.

This was just recently posted on DB and looks potentially good, if you decide you want a plain halo.

Ruby Lane is also a potentially good place to look. I've never ordered from there myself, but I sure do have fun looking! For instance, here is a pretty art deco three-stone ring.

Other than that, I'd say just have a look around at vendors that are frequently recommended on here, like Good Old Gold, Brian Gavin Diamonds, and Whiteflash, to see what sort of settings you like and what kind of diamond would work with the budget you have left over.

I think if you want the biggest diamond possible, it's best not to go with a three-stone of diamonds, as then you'll have much less money for the center stone. The setting is a big chunk of your budget, and you'll be paying for the setting whatever ring you get, but with a three-stone-ring, you'll also be trying to pay for two stones in addition to your center stone. I know I just about fell over when I found out how much the sidestones in my setting cost - granted, I have a sapphire center stone, but each one cost as much as the center!

On shapes - squarish shapes tend to look small for their carat weight. Round shapes tend to look bigger. I think pear shapes tend to look biggest for their carat weight of any shape, but you'd probably have to have your setting modified for a pear, which could add extra costs.

psychdoc26|1323579530|3079021 said:
My experience with diamonds is that each diamond is so unique that you can get something quite stunning with less than perfect characteristics.
Click to expand...

This is so true!
 
You might also consider a light fancy antique like this one http://www.rubylane.com/item/571649-100-00419/Art-Deco-Diamond-Ring if you want size. It's very well cut. And just gorgeous. Here's another light yellow in a gorgeous setting: http://www.rubylane.com/item/571649-200-00220/Art-Deco-Diamond-Ring if the color is something you can rock, It would be something that would help you get more bang for the buck.

Great post distracts.

This one, not light yellow, would have me emailing the vendor to see if there is wiggle room on the price http://www.rubylane.com/item/571649-100-00389/Platinum-Art-Deco-RIng Beautiful stone in a beautiful setting.
 
First, I think 5K is a very nice budget for an e-ring! You have several options. You can put in all to a center stone and get an inexpensive solitaire for the time being and save up for a new setting down the road or there are lots of antique or previously owned items that might work. Personally, I love a good deal, even if it means buying pre-loved!
If your open to a colored stone for an e-ring I love this blue sapphire in a tacori! It's $3500

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Modern-and-Estate-Pieces/Estate-Sapphire-Ring-Tacori/17842250_fvx3RS#1364338180_LkcStWB

or this 1 carat A. Jaffe ring for $5300..

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Modern-and-Estate-Pieces/101ct-Round-Brilliant-Diamond/17832376_km4FXs#1363372936_WMFhQzD

transitional cut stone: $3900 for the set:

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-diamonds/71ct-center-Transitional-Cut/18182075_MCSP3h#1398658227_rRLQTtr

low color M/N but beautiful antique under 5K
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-diamonds/168ct-Old-Mine-Cut-Diamond/19916643_d3n8SN#1567570892_bz5wxXc

Ritani with sapphire sides: $4250
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/estate-jewelry/rings/205PO1/0/

This ring is new and you could talk to Pearlmans about getting a center stone to stay in budget!

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/closeout-jewelry/beaudry/66B1/0/
 
You have received some good tips so far.

I just want to reiterate that $5k is in fact a very large budget for an engagement ring in most social circles. New York is very skewed in this regard from what I have read/heard, but the average nationally is something like $2k. I don't personally know anyone who spent more than $2k - $3k on a ring (save myself, but that was after I was married on upgrades). I think you should adjust your thinking on this one a little bit 8) so you will feel appreciative, not resentful, of what you end up with, and so your boyfriend will not feel bad about what he is able to provide.

I think you should go for a halo again, BTW. When I owned a 1.7ct solitaire I tried on a Tiffany embrace halo ring in a .75ct and it has the same hand presence. An RB would look quite different than a cushions in a halo, and you can even use a different style of pave.
 
5k is not small at all! watch what some pricescope magic can do :wink2:

ok so i'm gonna run with the tiffany legacy idea but i'm gonna suggest some rounds and some halo settings.

let's start with the stones. to maximise size and quality, i'd recommend going down to H SI2 with twinning wisps. (see this thread here for more info that i provided: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/newbie-engagement-ring-help.168987/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/newbie-engagement-ring-help.168987/[/URL]). basically they are 1000% eye clean but can look scary under the microscope due to the lighting conditions they use and the degree of magnification. check out the thread for explanations plus pictorial evidence!

here are some ones i've selected - they score 0.90 I SI2 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1379939.asp
0.90 I SI2 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1438958.asp
0.90 G SI2 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1438957.asp
0.90 G SI2 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1371160.asp
0.91 H SI1 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1408021.asp

you can choose 3 for JA to evaluate further - i'd ask for idealscope to check light return and performance, and a gemologist review to confirm that they are eye clean and to recommend which one is the best choice. they put the stones on hold for you while they get that extra info.

in terms of settings, i bought mine from this vendor. theirs are cheaper, although i wouldn't suggest buying a stone from them because they don't have pictures of the stones and can't garner information as easily.
$915 http://www.b2cjewels.com/Diamond-Accent-Settings/18K-White-Gold-Ring-Antique-4285-1.aspx
$1140 http://www.b2cjewels.com/Diamond-Accent-Settings/18K-White-Gold-Ring-Bezel-Set-Center-4358-1.aspx
 
Chiming in to say that a 5K budget is very respectable (hey, I ought to - it was mine!), but that I can see how you might be conflicted if you had grown accustomed to a 2 carat stone.

I'm with Purplesilk, I think: I'd go with an eternity band or a 5-stone. I've had this asscher 5 stone vintage band on my watch list for ages, and they're open to offers ... would something like that appeal to you at all?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200579907781?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Or this Van Cleef and Arpels eternity: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Van-Cleef-A...93273?pt=Designer_Jewelry&hash=item2a16e46519

Or a cluster ring of old cuts, perhaps? Halo-like, but with great finger coverage for the carat weight.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/350292888037?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
 
Ditto- 5K is not a small budget at all. I think a halo will get you the size you are after for the budget. Pears face up big for their carat weight- a halo pear would have great finger coverage.

I also second the idea of antique rings-- you can get a lot more for your money.
 
WOW great choices. Love the diamond Bistro Halo ring and the last eBay listing the Scott Kay! :appl:
 
If you were looking for something pretty unique, maybe an east-west set marquise, maybe with a halo? You can get a good size for less than a RB, and if you set it east-west you can get a lot of finger coverage for a lower carat weight. I personally prefer a "fatter" marquise, maybe something like a 1.8ish ratio. Here are some ideas for settings:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-new-ring-custom-from-greenlake-jewelry-works.45126/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-new-ring-custom-from-greenlake-jewelry-works.45126/[/URL]

http://www.lizcjewelry.com/jewelry.php?action=item&iid=367&cat=4&page=1

Haloed: http://betterthandiamond.com/discussion/ubbthreads.php/topics/378681/2

http://www.serendipitydiamonds.co.uk/detail.asp/sku=R1LS001/sidways-marquise-ring

http://www.serendipitydiamonds.co.uk/detail.asp/sku=R1D072/sideways-marquise-engagement-ring

Modern: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire-rings/ring/item_57-8936.asp

I also love this antique-style ring that used to be sold at Fay Cullen, they may be able to reproduce it.

east-west marquise.jpeg
 
as you live in NY ,why not visit or email ID Jewelry ? you can give them your budget and see what they come up with .they are a PS vendor plus their prices are very good ,I have bought 2 pieces from them myself .
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-2-45ct-Blue-Sapphire-Old-Euro-Diamond-18k-Gold-Wedding-Ring-/280774924336?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item415f7d5830 You said sapphire side stones.With the money left over you could reset it into a setting (like the Ritani above) with three halos. I'd offer 1700 and see what they say.

Another idea: You could get one of these two settings:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/2-1-ct-oec-in-fay-cullen-for-sale-t168529.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/2-1-ct-oec-in-fay-cullen-for-sale-t168529.html[/URL] 8mm center
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/verragio-halo-setting-for-sale-t169287.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/verragio-halo-setting-for-sale-t169287.html[/URL]

And get a sapphire center stone.

6.5 and gorgeous: http://www.simplysapphires.com/html/imagesblue2006/bluerns122a-sm.html

If you like the idea I'm sure one of our colored stones guru's can find you a 8mm stone.
 
Wow! I can't believe all these responses! These ideas are super helpful! I don't think 5K is such a small budget but compared with what I had before and with what I see on Pricescope it's on the smaller end :)
I honestly feel so lucky to be marrying this man that I would marry him tomorrow at city hall with no ring at all! But I know it's important for him to get me something that I will like -- it means something for him to be able to do it…

Anyway…I'm going to spend some time this morning sorting through all of these links and will circle back and check in later -- you guys are really helpful! Thank you!
 
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